This event is... a must do for organic practitioners, from vineyard through to sales and marketing. With so much information coming at us every minute of the day, it's good to take time away to listen to passionate and experienced people, instead of a screen. I always drift out on a high, fuelled by inspiration.
Speaker highlights include... Joseph Brinkley from Bonterra Organic Estates in California. Bonterra is the biggest organic producer in the United States and has been practising organics since 1987. They have lived through many farming and market cycles. Consumers are increasingly turning to ethical and intentionally grown and made products, and organics is clearly defined in a myriad of confusing certifications and accreditations. I also want to hear Dr Andre Leu and learn from his experience in biological agricultural systems. These are eroded with intensive farming around the world, in an effort to feed a growing population. And of course our own Jeremy Hyland and Mike Saunders.
New Zealand is... a small island and, as I see it, we Kiwis are abusing our little country. The very least we can do is to take care of the soil; soil is everything. And don't get me started on plastic.
My route to organics was... gradual. A traumatic event forced me to look at my lifestyle, I gradually eliminated additives, then looked at skin care and house cleaning agents - a chemical bath! So when we started Loveblock, it was a logical step. I feel very privileged to be able to live my values in a commercial situaton.
The future of organic winegrowing is... bright. Consumers are much more educated and aware of the effect of agrochemicals, not only on human health, but also the environment.
